Search my Blog

Share this

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

You all know One Step Ahead. They send out those amazing catalogs filled with items for kids and families that make you drool. Yeah, now you remember! I have been getting their catalog for sometime now and there are always at least 10-15 items in there that I would love to have!

One of those items is the Sun Smarties Family Beach Cabana Tent. This tent is so awesome. OMG and I so excited that I got to review it and I am even more excited that one of my readers will have the chance to win one for their family!!

The Sun Smarties Family Beach Cabana Tent is the perfect accessory for a family to take to the beach. It not only is super easy to open and set up but it is even easier to collapse. What I really like about the Family Beach Cabana Tent is the fact that you can anchor it down with the provided anchors or you can fill the side "pockets" with sand to weigh it down.

The tent itself folds up into a small circle (think windshield protector) that fits into the accompanying carrying case.

In this picture you can see the bright colors and the nice Hawaiian print.

The back of the carrying case has straps that allow you to carry it like a backpack. It also has a top strap for easy carrying. (Like my toes? The color is My Chihuahua Bites by Opi)

It probably took me a total of about 4-5 minutes to open the tent up, stake it down, open the zippers and tie the doors and windows back. It is super easy. I wouldn't do it alone with Dexter because he would be jumping all over him so it would be important to have another adult or older child with you if you have an infant.

I set the tent up in my yard because my husband is at work and Dexter was napping (peaceful!) Look at how it looks all shut up. This creates privacy that would allow children and adults to change into/out of swimsuits.

In this side view you can see the canopy on the front. It zips so it looks like it does in the picture and it also unzips so you can fold the tent up with ease.

Next, I unzipped the front and the back so you could see right through it. Another thing I really like about this tent is the fact that there is no bottom on it. This allows babies and small children to be protected by the sun (thanks to the tent's unbeatable UPF 50+ rating) and play in the sand at the same time.

Next, I opened the side windows and tied them up for better ventilation. When the windows are shut, they stay shut thanks for two velcro tabs.

Here is a view of the windows from the inside. The mesh is nice because it allows for air flow but it also keeps debris and bugs out!

Finally, I laid down inside my retreat, I mean tent. As I laid there, I looked up and noticed some more ventilation.

Sitting in my tent, alone, was a glorious way to spend some much-needed Mommy quiet time. I would have left it up all day but then I figured I would have to take it down later tonight and that wasn't very appealing. Here are a few pictures that I took while inside the Sun Smarties Family Beach Cabana Tent. We have a gorgeous view of Lake Michigan on this side on my house but my neighbor's house does a nice job of blocking it from where I was laying!

The Sun Smarties Family Beach Cabana Tent measures 86½"L x 49¼"D x 47¼"H and it retails for $79.95 plus shipping. That is an incredible deal seeing as you can use with with or without the kids at the beach. Think how nice it would be to take your favorite somebody to the beach, alone, and you could set up your cooler and accessories in the tent and zip it up before heading in the water. After your swim you can relax in (or out) of the tent. One thing is for sure. Your possessions remain in the tent and out of other people's view and your cooler stays cold :)

In order to win, please head over to One Step Ahead and do two things (this is one heck of a prize so a little work is worth it!)*Pick out your favorite Sun Smarties product they carry and tell me what it is and why.*Pick your other favorite products and come back here and let me know what they are.*YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR ENTRY OR IT WON'T COUNT!

Would you like extra entries?*Follow me on Twitter and tweet this contest*Tweet everyday for more chances but make separate tweets for each entry*Follow me on Blogger*Put my button on your blog and leave a link in your comment*Sign up for One Step Ahead's Email and Birthday Club

In order to give you plenty of time to enjoy your tent this summer, I am going to run this contest until July 1st at NOON EST. That way you can go out on my birthday, July 11th and use your new tent!!!

Ok my Favorite is the Cabanna , all around has to be, i like the Swim bag aswell because its a necessity but we have 6 in our family and live 15min from Lake Huron so spent ALOT of time at the beach in the summer(hours). WE picnic alot aswell. With 4 kids and the sun this would be awesome for those hot days. I also really like the Portable Canopy Chair, Sand Away Beach Bag ( I have tons of sand usually in my van from the beach lol) , I like the Sun shades(super cute) and i really like the Sun Smarties hats for infants and older children. This is a great contest. lil_lolas@hotmail.com

I like the Sun Smarties Adjustable Sun Hat, the pink daisy hat is really cute and has a fun design! And I like the Deluxe Travel 'n Trundle it would be great for sleepovers to families house. Thanks for entering me into this giveaway. unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com

The Sun Smarties Parasol is awesome because it is portable! I'm always wishing I had something like that a the park. I also like their Ear & Throat Exam Kit, that looks useful.katiekarr at gmail dot com

The Sun Smarties Terry Hooded Cover-ups are wonderful. They not only look comfortable & fresh, they will protect precious skin from the sun. I also thought that the ReliaDose is indeed Award winning. Clever & useful. I love it.marypres(at)gmail(dot)com

I love the sand away beach bag. I would like it because I am tired of always having sand in my duffell bag.Another product i liked was the baby spring float activity center.brewerchickey78(at)yahoo.com

MFJ:I like the Sun Smarties White Flap Hat. I like that it provides an all around shade face, neck, eyes and head. I also like the Cielo Evolution Stroller. It is lightweight and compact with other great features.watson(at)zerostreet(dot)net

Love the Sun Smarties white flap hat - so goofy looking, but so practical for really keeping your little one protected! Also, love the dragonfly little girl costume and the soothe and smile teething blanket. Thanks so much for the chance!milagrobeancat[at]yahoo[dot]com

I like the Sun Smarties Canopy - I think it would be great over our water table in the yard. For other products I like the My Cot - it looks great for travel so my kiddos don't have to sleep on the floor. nkmeldrim at hotmail dot com

I love the Sun Smarties Pop-up Pool with Shade because our kids love playing outside in the pool & they will be protected more from the sun. We also love the Throw About Outdoor blanket & Sand Away Beach Bag!!

I've been admiring the cabana tent for a while and sure wish I'd had one when we took our 17-month-old daughter to the beach last week! With twins also on the way, I think it will come in handy for future trips. I love that it folds down so small; perfect, since I have to carry along so many other things!

I also adore the canopy tent, which would be perfect for back yard play time and protection from the hot Georgia sun. I've also been really wanting one of the video monitors featured in the catalog.

I like the Sun Smarties Parasol because it would protect the skin of little grandchildren when they nap outdoors. I also love the Splash n Play Colossal Pool-it would be so much fun this summer and keep my grandchildren cool!smchester at gmail dot com

Hi Maggie, I tried to email you about two contest I won, the Eenamaria handbag giveaway and the Durex Remind Me I'm a Momshell Giveaway because I haven't received them yet, but I haven't heard back from you so I wanted to make sure my email got to you. If you could email me, that would be wonderful, Thanks! Sydney(scoobidoo540@aol.com)

I like the Sunsmarties Zip Suit since it protects the child from UV rays during swimming and before/after.

I also like the book Organic Baby and Toddler Cookbook and the Organic Stroller Toy. My family lives an organic, eco-friendly lifestyle and these products mesh with that. Glad to see One Step Ahead carries some organic things!

I love the Sun Smarties Peek n Play Ball pit here http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=534853&parentCategoryId=85185&categoryId=85231&subCategoryId=86221. I also like the 50"s Diner. Thanks for the chance.

My husband and I are on the road a lot and plan to involve our children in various outdoor activities. I really liked the Solar Safe Monitor Wristbands - genious idea!! While most of there products are on my wish list, I would first choose the Baby In sight jumbo mirror and the Inflatable Aquatic Trainer as we have a pool and want to start our children early.michele15_80@excite.com

My favorite Sun Smarties product is the Stay-Put Adjustable Swim Shoes. They are lightweight and protect little feet against the elements.

I also love the Throw-About Water-Resistant Outdoor Blanket because it would be the perfect complement to the One Step Ahead Family Beach Cabana. It's versatile and can be used both outdoors and indoors. Best of all, it's machine washable!

The Sun Smarties Tent 'n Tunnel Town is awesome, it'd be so much fun in the summer! I like that it's so well-ventilated too! I also like the Sand Spray Kit, it's be great at the beach! tylerpants(at)gmail.com

i really liked the Sun Smarties Peek 'n Play Ball Pit and the tank suit thanks so much for the chance to win I would love to win I have two small kids these are really great products thanks eaglesforjack@gmail.com

I like the sun smarties tanksuit as, not only is it just the cutest thing!, but it also has a sewn-in swim diaper making disposable swimmers a thing of the past! I also like the splash n play colossal pool and, just received my catalogue today, and absolutely LOVE the inflatable UFO squirters!